Moscow to Beijing "Imperial Russia" Transsiberian Train

Itinerary:

Day 1
:
MOSCOW

Arrive in Moscow. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 2
:
MOSCOW

After breakfast, all day sightseeing tour of Moscow, walking tour of Arbat, Moscow Metroand Church of Christ the Savior.

The City Tour of Moscow will offer excellent views of the Kremlin, Red Square, Kitay Gorod, Tverskaya, Arbat, and Zamoskvorechje. Later we will visit Red Square and the Kremlin with its golden domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral, the State Historical Museum, the elegant arcades of the GUM department store, and many other landmarks. Inside the Kremlin the main attractions are the three Cathedrals of the Assumption, Annunciation and Archangel, which date back to the 15th-16th centuries. Other landmarks are Ivan the Great Bell Tower, Tsar Bell, Tsar Cannon, Hall of Facets, Terem Place, and the Great Kremlin Palace - the official residence of Russian presidents. Board the train in the evening.

Day 3
:
KAZAN

Arrive in Kazan in the morning. After breakfast, you'll go on the city tour of Kazan, the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Tatarstan, located on the picturesque banks of the Volga River. Muslims and Christians live side-by-side in peace in this colorful and diverse city. The central part of Kazan is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Kazan Kremlin is the main historic site of the city built at the behest of Ivan the Terrible. It is the home of many old buildings including The Annunciation Cathedral, dating back to the 16th century, the leaning Soyembika Tower, the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Spasskaya Tower, and the recently built Qol Sharif mosque. In the afternoon, enjoy a lunch including a master class by Tatar chef revealing the secrets of Tatar Cuisine and a folklore program, "Tugan Avalim". In the evening the train departs for your next stop.

The capital and the largest city of the Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan is located on the picturesque banks of the Volga River. The Kazan Kremlin is the main historic site of the city and is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Built at the behest of Ivan the Terrible, it is the home of many old buildings including The Annunciation Cathedral, dating back to the 16th century, the leaning Soyembika Tower, the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Spasskaya Tower, and the recently built Qol Sharif mosque.

Day 4
:
YEKATERINBURG

Morning arrival in Yekaterinburg. Founded in 1723, and named after Peter the Great's wife Empress Ekaterina , Yekaterinburg was one of Russia’s first industrial cities. Today it is the fourth-largest city in Russia. It is located at the border of Europe and Asia and is mostly known for the tragic events that took place soon after the October Revolution, on July 17, 1918, when Tsar Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra, and their children Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatyana, Maria, Anastasia, and Tsarevich Alexey were murdered by the Bolsheviks at the Ipatiev House in this city. Other members of the Romanov family were killed the day after. The city tour of Yekaterinburg is dedicated to the last days of the Russian Royal family. During the tour you will visit the Church on Blood erected in memory of this tragic event. Another interesting stop is the memorial built at the European-Asian Border, one of the most visited sites in the vicinity of Yekaterinburg. The border mark is on the right side of Moskovsky highway that used to be the Great Siberian Road. Hundreds of political prisoners and convicts, exiled by the Russian Tsars to Siberia, would pass this place in shackles every day down the same road. Think about it when you travel by Trans-Siberian from Moscow to Yekaterinburg. That's only half the way the others had to walk! The border mark was erected in 2004 and represents intertwined letters "A" and "E". You can literally have one foot in Europe and another in Asia at this spot.

Founded in 1723 and named after Peter the Great's wife, Empress Ekaterina, Yekaterinburg was one of Russia’s first industrial cities. Today it is the fourth-largest city in Russia. It is located at the border of Europe and Asia and is mostly known for the tragic events that took place soon after the October Revolution, on July 17, 1918, when Tsar Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra, and their children, Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatyana, Maria, Anastasia, and Tsarevich Alexey were murdered by the Bolsheviks at the Ipatiev House in this city.

Day 5
:
NOVOSIBIRSK

Novosibirsk was founded in 1893 at the site of the Trans-Siberian Railway crossing of the Siberian River Ob. At that time it was named Novonikolayevsk after the reigning Tsar Nicholas II. In 1907, with a population exceeding 47,000, it was granted town status with full rights for self-government. Today Novosibirsk is a modern city with a population of 1.5 million, the third largest city in Russia, mostly known for its advanced scientific and technological center Akademgorodok. During the city tour of Novosibirsk you will visit a Railway Museum, Ballet and opera house, old town and Ob river esplanade. Board the train in the evening and continue your trip to Irkutsk and Lake Baikal.

Located in the southwesten part of Siberia on the banks of the Ob river, Novosibirsk was founded in 1893 at the future site of the Trans-Siberian Railway crossing of the Siberian River Ob. At that time it was named Novonikolayevsk in honor of Saint Nicholas and after the reigning Tsar Nicholas II. In 1907, with a population exceeding 47,000, it was granted town status with full rights for self-government. Throughout its history, Novosibirsk experienced steady economic growth thus becoming a modern city with a population of 1.5 million, the third largest city in Russia, mostly known for its advanced scientific research and technological center, Akademgorodok.

Day 6
:
On board

All day on board. Your private train, by now your second home, proceeds onward, passing breathtaking landscapes along the way.

Day 7
:
IRKUTSK

Today the train reaches Irkutsk, the capital of Eastern Siberia. Irkutsk was founded in 1661 as a fortress on the distant Russian border. Soon it became a large merchant city, gold mining and trading post with China. Before the revolution Irkutsk was often referred to as Saint-Petersburg of Siberia. During the city tour you will get acquainted with many of the well preserved historical monuments: railway station, Church of Our Savior, Epiphany Cathedral and Church of the Transfiguration, reconstructed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, wooden cottages and the so called "lace house", also known as the "House of Europe", theDecembrists house, beautiful streets of the city and the lively market hall. After lunch in the local restaurant, you will visit "Irkutskaya Sloboda" - a city quarter with reconstructed 19-20th century buildings and the ethnographic museum Taltsy located on the picturesque right bank of the Angara River.

Founded in 1661 as a fortress on the distant Russian border, Irkutsk soon became a large merchant city; a gold mining and trading post with China. Before the revolution, Irkutsk was often referred to as the Saint-Petersburg of Siberia. During the tour you will get acquainted with many of the well preserved historical monuments: the railway station, Church of Our Savior, Epiphany Cathedral, Church of the Transfiguration, the reconstructed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, wooden cottages and the so called "lace house," also known as the "House of Europe," the Decembrists house, beautiful streets of the city and the lively market hall.

Day 8
:
LAKE BAIKAL

Today you will travel by ferry to Listvyanka village located on the shores of Lake Baikal. Lake Baikal is not only the world’s largest freshwater lake, but it’s also the deepest and among the clearest of all lakes. It is the 7th largest lake in the world and is considered to be the world’s oldest lake dating back 25 million years. Over 1,700 species of plants and animals can be found in Lake Baikal with two thirds of those species being unique only to the lake and cannot be found anywhere else in the world. You will explore Lake Baikal area, have a picnic lunch and visit Chersky Stone observation point with a beautiful view of the southern part of the lake and the mouth of the Angara River, a favorite spot for tourists and photographers. You will visit Baikal museum dedicated to the flora and fauna of the Lake, local fish and souvenir market. In the evening you will continue your eastbound journey.

The world’s largest freshwater lake, containing approximately 20% of the world's unfrozen surface fresh water, it is the deepest and the clearest of all lakes. Lake Baikal is the 7th largest lake in the world and is considered to be the world’s oldest lake dating back 25 million years. The lake is completely surrounded by mountains, contains 27 islands and hosts over 1,700 species of plants and animals. The most amazing fact is that two thirds of all Lake Baikal's species are unique only to this lake and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Day 9
:
ULAN UDE

Today's stop is Ulan Ude. It was founded by the Russian Cossacks as a winter post but received a status of the city by Catherine the Great's decree. Sightseeing tour of this unique city on the cross-roads of Russia, China and Mongolia offers a unique understanding of its heritage of world religions, as well as ethnic and cultural diversity of this area. You will visit datsan (Khambyn Khure) at Verkhnaya Berezovka, women datsan (Zungun Darzhaling), Odigitria Cathedral and the Holy Trinity Church. Reception and folklore program will follow in a traditional Buryat Yurt. Hospitable Buryats will teach you how to cook the traditional Buryat dish pozy, how to play dice, use a bow, wear a traditional Buryat costume, and how to assemble and disassemble a felt yurt.Ulan Ude, with its unique historical and cultural heritage was included in the list of Cities of Historical Heritage of Russia. The city carried its traditions and spiritual culture through the centuries and even the coat of arms of Ulan Ude presents "soyombua" - traditional Mongolian symbol of eternal life (the sun, the moon, and family hearth).

Day 10
:
ULAN BATOR - TEREJL NATIONAL PARK

Welcome to Mongolia! After breakfast you will visit main square and Zaisan and then transfer to Terejl National Park. Settle in your yurts and rest before lunch.

After lunch the excursion to the turtle rock and enjoy beautiful scenery of the surrounding area. Hiking tour to the top of overlooking hill to have a general view of the Terelj National Park. You will visit a nomadic family and get introduced to the authentic lifestyle and culture of Mongolian nomads and try traditional dairy food. Horse riding for an hour (optional), disassembling and building of a smaller Mongolian Yurt. Dinner and overnight in the yurt.

Day 11
:
ULAN BATOR

Transfer to Ulan Bator. Ulan Bator - meaning "Red Hero" - is the capital and the largest city of Mongolia. The city was founded in 1639 as a nomadic Buddhist monastic center that has changed its name and location numerous times. Located in the northern part of the country, high above sea level, Ulan Bator is the coldest capital city in the world. The sightseeing program includes a visit to the Buddhist Monastery Gandan with its famous 26.5-meter-high golden statue of Migjid Janraisig, the Zaisan Memorial, the Sükhbaatar Square, and thePalace-museum of Bogd Khan Uul, the Museum of History of Nature, the State Museum of History of Mongolia and an excursion to the Park of Buddha. Later in the day you will enjoy a folkloric show. In the evening your luxury train will depart from Ulan Bator.

A commercial hub connecting the Trans-Siberian Railway with the Chinese rail system, Ulan Bator has become a thriving urban center in one of the most remote locations in the world. New modern buildings are erected on any available patch of ground, next to retro Soviet architecture, Humvees, horse carriages and Land cruisers. They all share the pot-holed roads, and tourists and rich Mongolians look for bargains in European boutiques and cashmere stores. Next to these chaotic scenes are islands of tranquility: quiet monasteries, squares and cafes. The city will shock and excite you.

Day 12
:
ERLIAN

Today is the last day on board the Imperial train. In Erlian you will change trains and continue your journey to Beijing.

Day 13
:
BEIJING

Arrive in Beijing in the morning and transfer to the hotel. Today's city tour includes visiting the Great Chinese Wall, Tiananmen Square, National Museum of China, the House of People's Meetings, the majestic monument to the National Heroes and the mausoleum of Mao Zedong. Tour the Forbidden City and visit the Temple of Heaven in the afternoon.

Day 14
:
BEIJING

After breakfast you will visit the Chinese Nationalities Ethnic Culture Park and Chinese Nationalities Museum celebrating ethnic cultures of China with a focus on traditional architecture, music and dance. Continue to the primary scene for the Beijing 2008 Olympics, featuring the 'Birds Nest' Stadium, 'Water Cube' Aquatics Center, Ling Long Pagoda and the PanGu Center, on to the "World of Miniature" park, Beijing Aquarium and Zoo, one of the biggest zoos in the world.

Included:

• Accomodations Onboard the «Imperial Russia» train• Excursions with local guides according to the program• Tea/coffee on board throughout the day• Full board.• Pick-up at the airports, transfer to hotels and train stations, transfer to the airport (in Moscow, Irkutsk and Beijing, depending on Tour choice)• Services of the porter at the hotel and the railway station.• Brief informative lectures on the Trans-Siberian Railroad, geography and history of the country visited;• Doctor on board.• English Speaking Group Leader and Tour managers

The journey by train was a great experience. We were scared that it would be boring but the time went very fast. I thought I’d read tons of books but no chance, snacks, drinks, chats with other travelers and the day was over.
Service on the train was often very slow, but we didn't complain about that as we enjoyed the scenery through the window and always had someone to chat with.
In Moscow we stayed at a modern functional hotel with friendly staff and good location. City tours were just excellent.
In Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan, the hotel was comfortable in a historical center with nice views.
Yekaterinburg a very interesting city, named after Peter the Great's wife, Empress Ekaterina, located at the border of Europe and Asia with a rich history. The guide there was very passionate about the history so we got a lot to take away.
A picnic lunch at Lake Baikal offered us delicious home-made food with fantastic views all around us. I only wish we had spent more time in the lake surroundings and on it.
In Irkutsk the architectural museum was impressive and the Decembrists’ story captivating.
In Ulan Ude the folklore program in a traditional Buryat Yurt was unforgettable. Too little time spent there, though, again.
Beijing crowned it all. The breathtaking Great Wall , Forbidden City and small hutongs captivated us. We decided to return to this city some time in the future to spend more time on Chinese culture.
To conclude, it was a truly memorable trip.
On top of all this, I would like to thank your organization (East West Tours) for arranging all this for us. Without your help we wouldn't have been able to get all visas so smoothly and the information you provided was exceptionally useful. All very much appreciated.
With kind regards,
Amadeo, Australia

Thank you so much for your superb service in arranging our Trans-Siberian Railway tour. Everything had gone smoothly. We had a great and memorable time. One of the good things was that we always had a few choices, like going to the Opera House, or to watch a comedy in Novosibirsk. We liked the ballet performance very much. The guides in most of the places were very professional and spoke good English. The food we had also was good and sometimes a revelation, like Kvas, a fermented beverage made from black bread which we found very refreshing. Our trip on Baikal Lake was a memorable one as well because of the fantastic scenery and excellent guide Oleg who took care of us at every step.
Thank you once again for your prompt and excellent service. I will certainly recommend your travel agency to anyone who would like to go on a transsiberian trip and have a journey of their lives.
Warm Regards,
Jessy, Singapour

I would like to share my impressions on the trip from Moscow to Beijing "Imperial Russia" Transsiberian Train. The trip went as expected. All was well organized and on time.
The rail ride was fascinating as we met people from all over the world and became good friends with many of them.
The food on Tsar’s Gold was good enough but got a little boring in the end.
We enjoyed the program on the train and our guide tried it very hard to make as all satisfied.
Both my husband and I learned a lot about Russia's history and the effort put in the restoration of palaces and churches.
Thank you for all your help and I will recommend you to all my friends who are interested in this trip.

Cabin Description:

Notes:

Excursions for groups up to 10 people will be conducted in English. When forming a group of more than 10 people excursions in German, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese languages are possible upon request.

Specific travel arrangements and train departure times depend on schedules of Russian, Mongolian and Chinese Railways and may be subject to change. Our travel specialist will review your program and issue a final booking confirmation 30 days prior to departure.

Included:

• Accomodations Onboard the «Imperial Russia» train• Excursions with local guides according to the program• Tea/coffee on board throughout the day• Full board.• Pick-up at the airports, transfer to hotels and train stations, transfer to the airport (in Moscow, Irkutsk and Beijing, depending on Tour choice)• Services of the porter at the hotel and the railway station.• Brief informative lectures on the Trans-Siberian Railroad, geography and history of the country visited;• Doctor on board.• English Speaking Group Leader and Tour managers

Itinerary:

Day 1
:
MOSCOW

Arrive in Moscow. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 2
:
MOSCOW

After breakfast, all day sightseeing tour of Moscow, walking tour of Arbat, Moscow Metroand Church of Christ the Savior.

The City Tour of Moscow will offer excellent views of the Kremlin, Red Square, Kitay Gorod, Tverskaya, Arbat, and Zamoskvorechje. Later we will visit Red Square and the Kremlin with its golden domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral, the State Historical Museum, the elegant arcades of the GUM department store, and many other landmarks. Inside the Kremlin the main attractions are the three Cathedrals of the Assumption, Annunciation and Archangel, which date back to the 15th-16th centuries. Other landmarks are Ivan the Great Bell Tower, Tsar Bell, Tsar Cannon, Hall of Facets, Terem Place, and the Great Kremlin Palace - the official residence of Russian presidents. Board the train in the evening.

Day 3
:
KAZAN

Arrive in Kazan in the morning. After breakfast, you'll go on the city tour of Kazan, the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Tatarstan, located on the picturesque banks of the Volga River. Muslims and Christians live side-by-side in peace in this colorful and diverse city. The central part of Kazan is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Kazan Kremlin is the main historic site of the city built at the behest of Ivan the Terrible. It is the home of many old buildings including The Annunciation Cathedral, dating back to the 16th century, the leaning Soyembika Tower, the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Spasskaya Tower, and the recently built Qol Sharif mosque. In the afternoon, enjoy a lunch including a master class by Tatar chef revealing the secrets of Tatar Cuisine and a folklore program, "Tugan Avalim". In the evening the train departs for your next stop.

The capital and the largest city of the Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan is located on the picturesque banks of the Volga River. The Kazan Kremlin is the main historic site of the city and is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Built at the behest of Ivan the Terrible, it is the home of many old buildings including The Annunciation Cathedral, dating back to the 16th century, the leaning Soyembika Tower, the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Spasskaya Tower, and the recently built Qol Sharif mosque.

Day 4
:
YEKATERINBURG

Morning arrival in Yekaterinburg. Founded in 1723, and named after Peter the Great's wife Empress Ekaterina , Yekaterinburg was one of Russia’s first industrial cities. Today it is the fourth-largest city in Russia. It is located at the border of Europe and Asia and is mostly known for the tragic events that took place soon after the October Revolution, on July 17, 1918, when Tsar Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra, and their children Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatyana, Maria, Anastasia, and Tsarevich Alexey were murdered by the Bolsheviks at the Ipatiev House in this city. Other members of the Romanov family were killed the day after. The city tour of Yekaterinburg is dedicated to the last days of the Russian Royal family. During the tour you will visit the Church on Blood erected in memory of this tragic event. Another interesting stop is the memorial built at the European-Asian Border, one of the most visited sites in the vicinity of Yekaterinburg. The border mark is on the right side of Moskovsky highway that used to be the Great Siberian Road. Hundreds of political prisoners and convicts, exiled by the Russian Tsars to Siberia, would pass this place in shackles every day down the same road. Think about it when you travel by Trans-Siberian from Moscow to Yekaterinburg. That's only half the way the others had to walk! The border mark was erected in 2004 and represents intertwined letters "A" and "E". You can literally have one foot in Europe and another in Asia at this spot.

Founded in 1723 and named after Peter the Great's wife, Empress Ekaterina, Yekaterinburg was one of Russia’s first industrial cities. Today it is the fourth-largest city in Russia. It is located at the border of Europe and Asia and is mostly known for the tragic events that took place soon after the October Revolution, on July 17, 1918, when Tsar Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra, and their children, Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatyana, Maria, Anastasia, and Tsarevich Alexey were murdered by the Bolsheviks at the Ipatiev House in this city.

Day 5
:
NOVOSIBIRSK

Novosibirsk was founded in 1893 at the site of the Trans-Siberian Railway crossing of the Siberian River Ob. At that time it was named Novonikolayevsk after the reigning Tsar Nicholas II. In 1907, with a population exceeding 47,000, it was granted town status with full rights for self-government. Today Novosibirsk is a modern city with a population of 1.5 million, the third largest city in Russia, mostly known for its advanced scientific and technological center Akademgorodok. During the city tour of Novosibirsk you will visit a Railway Museum, Ballet and opera house, old town and Ob river esplanade. Board the train in the evening and continue your trip to Irkutsk and Lake Baikal.

Located in the southwesten part of Siberia on the banks of the Ob river, Novosibirsk was founded in 1893 at the future site of the Trans-Siberian Railway crossing of the Siberian River Ob. At that time it was named Novonikolayevsk in honor of Saint Nicholas and after the reigning Tsar Nicholas II. In 1907, with a population exceeding 47,000, it was granted town status with full rights for self-government. Throughout its history, Novosibirsk experienced steady economic growth thus becoming a modern city with a population of 1.5 million, the third largest city in Russia, mostly known for its advanced scientific research and technological center, Akademgorodok.

Day 6
:
On board

All day on board. Your private train, by now your second home, proceeds onward, passing breathtaking landscapes along the way.

Day 7
:
IRKUTSK

Today the train reaches Irkutsk, the capital of Eastern Siberia. Irkutsk was founded in 1661 as a fortress on the distant Russian border. Soon it became a large merchant city, gold mining and trading post with China. Before the revolution Irkutsk was often referred to as Saint-Petersburg of Siberia. During the city tour you will get acquainted with many of the well preserved historical monuments: railway station, Church of Our Savior, Epiphany Cathedral and Church of the Transfiguration, reconstructed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, wooden cottages and the so called "lace house", also known as the "House of Europe", theDecembrists house, beautiful streets of the city and the lively market hall. After lunch in the local restaurant, you will visit "Irkutskaya Sloboda" - a city quarter with reconstructed 19-20th century buildings and the ethnographic museum Taltsy located on the picturesque right bank of the Angara River.

Founded in 1661 as a fortress on the distant Russian border, Irkutsk soon became a large merchant city; a gold mining and trading post with China. Before the revolution, Irkutsk was often referred to as the Saint-Petersburg of Siberia. During the tour you will get acquainted with many of the well preserved historical monuments: the railway station, Church of Our Savior, Epiphany Cathedral, Church of the Transfiguration, the reconstructed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, wooden cottages and the so called "lace house," also known as the "House of Europe," the Decembrists house, beautiful streets of the city and the lively market hall.

Day 8
:
LAKE BAIKAL

Today you will travel by ferry to Listvyanka village located on the shores of Lake Baikal. Lake Baikal is not only the world’s largest freshwater lake, but it’s also the deepest and among the clearest of all lakes. It is the 7th largest lake in the world and is considered to be the world’s oldest lake dating back 25 million years. Over 1,700 species of plants and animals can be found in Lake Baikal with two thirds of those species being unique only to the lake and cannot be found anywhere else in the world. You will explore Lake Baikal area, have a picnic lunch and visit Chersky Stone observation point with a beautiful view of the southern part of the lake and the mouth of the Angara River, a favorite spot for tourists and photographers. You will visit Baikal museum dedicated to the flora and fauna of the Lake, local fish and souvenir market. In the evening you will continue your eastbound journey.

The world’s largest freshwater lake, containing approximately 20% of the world's unfrozen surface fresh water, it is the deepest and the clearest of all lakes. Lake Baikal is the 7th largest lake in the world and is considered to be the world’s oldest lake dating back 25 million years. The lake is completely surrounded by mountains, contains 27 islands and hosts over 1,700 species of plants and animals. The most amazing fact is that two thirds of all Lake Baikal's species are unique only to this lake and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Day 9
:
ULAN UDE

Today's stop is Ulan Ude. It was founded by the Russian Cossacks as a winter post but received a status of the city by Catherine the Great's decree. Sightseeing tour of this unique city on the cross-roads of Russia, China and Mongolia offers a unique understanding of its heritage of world religions, as well as ethnic and cultural diversity of this area. You will visit datsan (Khambyn Khure) at Verkhnaya Berezovka, women datsan (Zungun Darzhaling), Odigitria Cathedral and the Holy Trinity Church. Reception and folklore program will follow in a traditional Buryat Yurt. Hospitable Buryats will teach you how to cook the traditional Buryat dish pozy, how to play dice, use a bow, wear a traditional Buryat costume, and how to assemble and disassemble a felt yurt.Ulan Ude, with its unique historical and cultural heritage was included in the list of Cities of Historical Heritage of Russia. The city carried its traditions and spiritual culture through the centuries and even the coat of arms of Ulan Ude presents "soyombua" - traditional Mongolian symbol of eternal life (the sun, the moon, and family hearth).

Day 10
:
ULAN BATOR - TEREJL NATIONAL PARK

Welcome to Mongolia! After breakfast you will visit main square and Zaisan and then transfer to Terejl National Park. Settle in your yurts and rest before lunch.

After lunch the excursion to the turtle rock and enjoy beautiful scenery of the surrounding area. Hiking tour to the top of overlooking hill to have a general view of the Terelj National Park. You will visit a nomadic family and get introduced to the authentic lifestyle and culture of Mongolian nomads and try traditional dairy food. Horse riding for an hour (optional), disassembling and building of a smaller Mongolian Yurt. Dinner and overnight in the yurt.

Day 11
:
ULAN BATOR

Transfer to Ulan Bator. Ulan Bator - meaning "Red Hero" - is the capital and the largest city of Mongolia. The city was founded in 1639 as a nomadic Buddhist monastic center that has changed its name and location numerous times. Located in the northern part of the country, high above sea level, Ulan Bator is the coldest capital city in the world. The sightseeing program includes a visit to the Buddhist Monastery Gandan with its famous 26.5-meter-high golden statue of Migjid Janraisig, the Zaisan Memorial, the Sükhbaatar Square, and thePalace-museum of Bogd Khan Uul, the Museum of History of Nature, the State Museum of History of Mongolia and an excursion to the Park of Buddha. Later in the day you will enjoy a folkloric show. In the evening your luxury train will depart from Ulan Bator.

A commercial hub connecting the Trans-Siberian Railway with the Chinese rail system, Ulan Bator has become a thriving urban center in one of the most remote locations in the world. New modern buildings are erected on any available patch of ground, next to retro Soviet architecture, Humvees, horse carriages and Land cruisers. They all share the pot-holed roads, and tourists and rich Mongolians look for bargains in European boutiques and cashmere stores. Next to these chaotic scenes are islands of tranquility: quiet monasteries, squares and cafes. The city will shock and excite you.

Day 12
:
ERLIAN

Today is the last day on board the Imperial train. In Erlian you will change trains and continue your journey to Beijing.

Day 13
:
BEIJING

Arrive in Beijing in the morning and transfer to the hotel. Today's city tour includes visiting the Great Chinese Wall, Tiananmen Square, National Museum of China, the House of People's Meetings, the majestic monument to the National Heroes and the mausoleum of Mao Zedong. Tour the Forbidden City and visit the Temple of Heaven in the afternoon.

Day 14
:
BEIJING

After breakfast you will visit the Chinese Nationalities Ethnic Culture Park and Chinese Nationalities Museum celebrating ethnic cultures of China with a focus on traditional architecture, music and dance. Continue to the primary scene for the Beijing 2008 Olympics, featuring the 'Birds Nest' Stadium, 'Water Cube' Aquatics Center, Ling Long Pagoda and the PanGu Center, on to the "World of Miniature" park, Beijing Aquarium and Zoo, one of the biggest zoos in the world.

Day 15
:
BEIJING

Transfer to the airport.

Notes:

Excursions for groups up to 10 people will be conducted in English. When forming a group of more than 10 people excursions in German, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese languages are possible upon request.

Specific travel arrangements and train departure times depend on schedules of Russian, Mongolian and Chinese Railways and may be subject to change. Our travel specialist will review your program and issue a final booking confirmation 30 days prior to departure.

Testimonials:

The journey by train was a great experience. We were scared that it would be boring but the time went very fast. I thought I’d read tons of books but no chance, snacks, drinks, chats with other travelers and the day was over.
Service on the train was often very slow, but we didn't complain about that as we enjoyed the scenery through the window and always had someone to chat with.
In Moscow we stayed at a modern functional hotel with friendly staff and good location. City tours were just excellent.
In Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan, the hotel was comfortable in a historical center with nice views.
Yekaterinburg a very interesting city, named after Peter the Great's wife, Empress Ekaterina, located at the border of Europe and Asia with a rich history. The guide there was very passionate about the history so we got a lot to take away.
A picnic lunch at Lake Baikal offered us delicious home-made food with fantastic views all around us. I only wish we had spent more time in the lake surroundings and on it.
In Irkutsk the architectural museum was impressive and the Decembrists’ story captivating.
In Ulan Ude the folklore program in a traditional Buryat Yurt was unforgettable. Too little time spent there, though, again.
Beijing crowned it all. The breathtaking Great Wall , Forbidden City and small hutongs captivated us. We decided to return to this city some time in the future to spend more time on Chinese culture.
To conclude, it was a truly memorable trip.
On top of all this, I would like to thank your organization (East West Tours) for arranging all this for us. Without your help we wouldn't have been able to get all visas so smoothly and the information you provided was exceptionally useful. All very much appreciated.
With kind regards,
Amadeo, Australia

Thank you so much for your superb service in arranging our Trans-Siberian Railway tour. Everything had gone smoothly. We had a great and memorable time. One of the good things was that we always had a few choices, like going to the Opera House, or to watch a comedy in Novosibirsk. We liked the ballet performance very much. The guides in most of the places were very professional and spoke good English. The food we had also was good and sometimes a revelation, like Kvas, a fermented beverage made from black bread which we found very refreshing. Our trip on Baikal Lake was a memorable one as well because of the fantastic scenery and excellent guide Oleg who took care of us at every step.
Thank you once again for your prompt and excellent service. I will certainly recommend your travel agency to anyone who would like to go on a transsiberian trip and have a journey of their lives.
Warm Regards,
Jessy, Singapour

I would like to share my impressions on the trip from Moscow to Beijing "Imperial Russia" Transsiberian Train. The trip went as expected. All was well organized and on time.
The rail ride was fascinating as we met people from all over the world and became good friends with many of them.
The food on Tsar’s Gold was good enough but got a little boring in the end.
We enjoyed the program on the train and our guide tried it very hard to make as all satisfied.
Both my husband and I learned a lot about Russia's history and the effort put in the restoration of palaces and churches.
Thank you for all your help and I will recommend you to all my friends who are interested in this trip.